Washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A WASHING APPARATUS, INTENDED PRIMARILY FOR THE THOROUGH WASHING AND RINSING OF THE VARIED SHAPES OF LABORATORY GLASSWARE, SUCH AS FLASKS, TEST TUBES, BOTTLES AND THE LIKE. THE GLASSWARE IS MOUNTED IN INVERTED POSITION ON HOLLOW, SUPPORTING SPINDLES THROUGH WHICH WASHING FLUID IS INTRODUCED AGAINST AND IS EFFECTIVE IN CLEANING THE GLASSWARE INTERIOR SURFACES. THE MOUNTED GLASSWARE IS ADDITIONALL POSITIONED BETWEEN OPPOSING UPPER AND LOWER SPRAYS WHICH CLEAN ALL EXTERIOR SURFACES, THE LOWER SPRAY BEING ALSO EFFECTIVE TO MINIMIZE ANY BLOCKAGE, DUE TO   CAPILLARY ACTION, OF WASHING FLUID WITHIN THE GLASSWARE BECAUSE OF THE TUBULANCE IT CREATES IN ENTERING THE GLASSWARE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION OF DRAINAGE FLOW THEREFROM. THE WASHING APPARATUS ALSO IS PROVIDED WITH A NOTEWORTHY HOLD-DOWN MEANS OR COVERING, PREFERABLY FABRICATED OF WIRE MESH, WHICH IS READILY MOVED INTO DRAPING POSITION OVER THE GLASSWARE TO MINIMIZE MOVEMENT OF THE GLASSWARE THAT MIGHT RESULT IN ITS BREAKAGE.

Nov. 2, 171 M. RANDALL WASHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 4

m l/f/vfof MAX RANDnLL Filed July 30, 1969 M. RANDALL WASHING APPARATUS NGV. 2, 1971 2 Shoots-Shoot 1 W L w ML M We fi Wm R M M United States Patent f US. Cl. 134168 R 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A washing apparatus, intended primarily for the thorough washing and rinsing of the varied shapes of laboratory glassware, such as flasks, test tubes, bottles and the like. The glassware is mounted in inverted position on hollow, supporting spindles through which washing fluid is introduced against and is effective in cleaning the glassware interior surfaces. The mounted glassware is additionally positioned between opposing upper and lower sprays which clean all exterior surfaces, the lower spray being also effective to minimize any blockage, due to capillary action, of washing fluid within the glassware be cause of the turbulance it creates in entering the glassware in the reverse direction of drainage flow therefrom. The washing apparatus also is provided with a noteworthy hold-down means or covering, preferably fabricated of wire mesh, which is readily moved into draping position over the glassware to minimize movement of the glassware that might result in its breakage.

The present invention relates generally to washing apparatus for laboratory glassware, as well as for surgical instruments, utensils and the like, and more particularly to improvements in such washing apparatus to achieve, particularly with respect to laboratory glassware, the effective thorough washing and rinsing of all interior and exterior surface areas of the glassware.

It is customary preparatory to reuse of laboratory glassware, as well as of laboratory instruments and utensils, to remove any contamination from the same. It is thus the current practice to subject the glassware to a sterilizing rinse and washing and, to this end, there are currently available numerous models and types of washing apparatus. A typical prior art washing apparatus uses an overhead spray to clean the exterior surfaces of the glassware and relies on the introduction of washing fluid, under pressure, into the interior of the glassware to clean the internal surfaces thereof. While such washing apparatus is generally effective, it is not entirely satisfactory. Among other shortcomings, it has been found that on occasion not all of the exterior surface area is subjected to washing contact of the washing fluid. Further, unless the pressure of the internally introduced washing fluid is significant, free drainage flow of this fluid is sometimes impeded by capillary action. That is, the narrow neck of some glassware occasionally presents a blocking constriction to drainage flow, and the glassware is therefore only sometimes merely filled with but not effectively cleaned by the washing fluid during washing operation of the apparatus.

Additionally, since the cleaning effectiveness of the washing fluid is a function, at least in part, of the vigorousness of the scrubbing contact which the fluid makes against the glassware, it is desirable that the fluid pressure he of a significant extent. Yet, an excessive fluid pressure has a tendency to lift the glassware from its support and, in turn, thus renders the glassware vulnerable to breakage. A movement-limiting screen is thus commonly used to minimize breakage, but often the placement of such screen to accommodate the largest glassware piece results in enough clearance for the movement of the smallest glassware piece 3,616,806 Patented Nov. 2, 1971 from its support. The screen thus is ineffective to prevent breakage of the small glassware piece.

Generally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved washing apparatus overcoming the foregoing and other shortcomings of the prior art. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing apparatus which utilizes, in addition to internally introduced washing fluid, a pair of opposing upper and lower sprays which are effective not only in providing thorough cleaning of all exterior surafce areas, but the lower spray cooperates with the internally introduced fluid to promote a more effective cleaning action by this internally introduced fluid, all as will be explained in detail subsequently herein. The washing apparatus also includes a noteworthy glassware hold-down means which achieves its intended function irrespective of the different sizes and shapes of glassware being washed.

A washing apparatus demonstrating objects and advantages of the present invention includes means for accommodating glassware in an inverted washing position on hollow supports in an interposed position between upper and lower opposing sprays. The glassware interior or internal surface is cleaned by washing fluid introduced through the hollow supports, the washing fluid making contact against this surface and then draining, by gravity flow, from the inverted glassware. The opposing sprays are effective in making washing contact against all exterior surface areas and the lower spray, by virtue of being projected into the interior of the glassware from below and thus in the direction opposite to the direction of washing fluid draining from the glassware, is effective in unblocking any washing fluid trapped within the glassware due to capillary action or other such reason. The washing apparatus additionally includes hold-down means, preferably in the form of plural bands of wire mesh, suspended across the washing chamber above the glassware. After loading of the glassware within the apparatus preparatory to washing operation thereof, the bands of wire mesh are readily lowered into draping contact over the glass ware and thus effectively function to hold the glassware on their supports during washing of the glassware.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present nvention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanymg drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a washing apparatus according to the present invention, exterior portions of which are broken away to better illustrate internal structural features thereof;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view, on an enlarged scale and in section taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating details of a hold-down means or device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevational view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the functioning of the hold-down device and also the washing action of the apparatus during a typical washing interval thereof; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views of a fluid connection of the washing apparatus, FIG. 4 illustrating the same prior to the completion of such connection and FIG. 5 after the completion thereof.

Reference is now made to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, wherein there is shown a washer, generally designated 10, demonstrating objects and advantages of the present invention. Washer 10 includes exterior walls, individually and collectively designated 12, which cooperate to define an exterior housing 14. As is generally understood, washer 10 is typically and primarily used for the thoroughly washing and rinsing of laboratory glassware, such as flasks, test tubes and the like, but it also may be used for Washing and rinsing surgical instruments and utensils employed in hospitals, research laboratories or the like. As is further generally understood, the cleaning of the foregoing, particularly of laboratory glassware, requires that there be thorough washing and rinsing both of the interior as well as exterior surfaces in order to satisfy the stringent requirements of sterilization. Washer 10, as will be described in greater detail subsequently, is eflective in achieving the thoroughness in washing and rinsing which is required, even when handling odd and varied glassware shapes.

Referring specifically to FIG. I, mounted within the exterior housing 14 is an inner wall construction 16 which, at its upper end, bounds an internal washing chamber 18, access to which is obtainable, as shown in FIG. 2, through a front door 20 and a rear door 22. The lower portion of the washing chamber 18 is delineated by a horizontally oriented bottom wall 24 consisting of two plates; a bottom plate 26 having central opening 28 therein, and an upper plate 30 of slightly smaller lateral dimension which has an upturned configuration at its inner end 32. The upturned plate end 32 cooperates with the portion of plate 26 which extends inwardly thereof to define a pair of tracks 34, 36 which, in practice, accommodate rollers 38, 40 of a glassware supporting basket shown partially in phantom perspective in FIG. land designated 42. Basket 42 will be understood to be of conventional construction and, except as noted herein, is similar to baskets usually used in sterilization washers of the general class of washer 10.

For present purposes, it is suflice to note that basket 42 is appropriately constructed so as to include a hori' zontally oriented frame or manifold, generally designated 44, which consists of two main parts. One part will be understood to be a washing fluid inlet 46 having communication with four fluid conduits 48. Each of the spaced conduits 48, in turn, have a series of upstanding hollow spindles, individually and collectively designated 50, which support the glassware during washing operation of the washer and through which washing fluid is introduced into the interior of the glassware, all as will be subsequently explained in greater detail herein with particular reference to FIG. 3.

Continuing with the description of washer 10, and still referring to FIG. 1, the same includes, at its upper end, a washing fluid inlet, generally designated 52, along which, as at the location 54 adjacent the inner wall construction 16, the conduit 52 divides into two branches 56 and 58. Branch 56 is appropriately mounted so as to have fluid communication, as at 60, with an upper washing spinner 62, appropriately journaled for rotation in a bearing 64 or the like while occupying an operative depending position from the inner construction 16 into the upper portion of the washing chamber 18. Specifically, the upper washing spinner 62 occupies a clearance position above the glassware-supporting spindles 50.

The other conduit branch 58 is vertically oriented in the clearance between the inner and outer wall constructions 18, 14 and, at a point therealong has a length portion which abruptly changes direction and terminates, as at 66, in a fluid connection to an upstanding pump outlet conduit 68. A lower internal wall construction 70 functions as a sump for washing fluid used in the washing chamber 18 and this sump is connected, via a pump inlet conduit 72 to a pump 74 which recirculates the washing fluid to the washing chamber 18 through the just noted pump outlet conduit 68. The upper end of the pump outlet 68 in addition to supporting a second bottom wall 76 of the washing chamber 18 also has appropriately mounted on its upper free end a combination bearing and fluid connection construction, generally designated 78, the structural details of which are best illustrated in FIGS. 35.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a portion of the construction 78 will be understood to include a sleeve bearing 80 which is effective in rotatably mounting a lower washing spinner 82. Lower washing spinner 82, in turn, will be understood to be conventionally constructed as far as utilizing water pressure to produce a spray from a revolving spinner. It will be understood, however, that the use of the spinner 82 in an operative position in the washing chamber 18 as illustrated is not conventional and is a noteworthy innovation in the construction and mode of operation of the washer 10. Structurewise, however, it suflices to note that the spinner 82 is, 'as already noted, rotatably mounted on the sleeve bearing 80 and includes the usual internal fluid passages 84 which each have a series of spaced spray outlets 86 so that during a washing interval of the apparatus 10 washing fluid W, or at least a portion thereof, flows from the pump outlet 68 into the spinner passages 84. This washing fluid, in response to pressure buildup, then results in the revolving or spinning of the spinner 82 simultaneously with the production of an upwardly directed washing fluid spray.

The other portion of the construction 78 consists of a sleeve 88 slidably disposed in the upper end of the pump outlet 68. More parfticularly, sleeve 88 is adapted to be lifted by fluid pressure from a starting position, as depicted in FIG. 4, in which it both closes olf outlet passages 90 and 92 communicating with the washing spinner 82 and is in a clearance position below a fluid connection seat 91 of the washing basket fluid inlet 46. As should be readily appreciated, pressure buildup within the pump outlet 68 eventually reaches a point at which the sleeve 88 is urged through sliding movement into the position depicted in FIG. 5, wherein a resilient circular lip 93 of an elastomeric insert 94 of the sleeve 88 is moved into sealing contact against the fluid connection seat 91. This sliding movement of sleeve 88 results in both washing fluid flowing into the lower washing spinner 82, all as has been already described, and also in the washing fluid entering through the inlet opening 96 into the fluid inlet 46. The washing fluid then flows into the previously noted fluid conduit 48 from which, again in response to pressure buildup, the washing fluid is forced upwardly through the hollow interior passages 98 of the spindles 50. Ultimately, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, the washing fluid exits from the spindles 50 into the interior of the glassware being washed which, typically are supported in an inverted position over each of the spindles 50.

This just noted washing position of the glassware is illustrated in FIG. 3, the glassware being exemplified in varied typical shapes used in laboratory procedures. One such shape is flask 100 which is characterized by a narrow construction or entrance opening 102 into its interior. Flask 100 also is characterized by a wide bottom Wall 103 which blocks access of the upper spray to its inwardly converging side walls 104 which terminate in the narrow neck or opening 102. Whereas heretofore this shape glassware presented problems in achieving thorough washing and rinsing of all interior and exterior surfaces, this shape glassware, and all other shapes for that matter, are no longer a problem when processed in the washing apparatus 10 hereof.

Specifically, and as best illustrated in FIG. 3, it is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that this typical hard-to-wash shaped glassware 100 be placed in a washing position wherein it is inverted and placed over a supporting spindle 50. That is, preparatory to washing of the narrow necked flask 100, a cooperating spindle 50 is projected through opening 102 into the interior thereof until the upper end is in supporting engagement against the inner surface of the bottom wall 103. Washing operation of the washing apparatus 10 then commences during which the glassware 100 is subjected to scrubbing or Washing action by the washing fluid W as follows. The exterior upper surface of the glassware, such as the bottom Wall 103, is washed and rinsed by the spray emitted from the upper washing spinner 62. This spray, however, as already noted, is not effective in cleaning the other exterior surfaces of the glassware 100 for the reason that it is blocked by the bottom wall 103 from making washing contact with the inner converging side surfaces 104. The side surfaces 104, however, are readily rinsed and washed by the upwardly projected spray from the lower washing spinner 82. Finally, the internal surface of the glassware 100 is washed and rinsed by washing fluid flowing through the supporting spindle 50.

At this convenient point in the description, it should be noted that heretofore the draining of the washing fluid being introduced internally of the glassware 100 was sometimes impeded by capillary action. That is, the gravity flow of this internally introduced washing fluid is sometimes prevented by the narrowness of the constriction presented to flow by the restrictive opening 102. When this occurs, the narrow necked glassware 100 merely fills up with washing fluid and there is absent any effective washing action internally of the glassware. A significant feature of the present invention greatly minimizes the possibility of such blockage of the Washing fluid internally of the glassware. A significant feature of the present invention greatly minimizes the possibility of such blockage of the washing fluid internally of the glassware. Specifically, as a result of the upward direction of the spray from the lower washing spinner 82, spray droplets are forced through the inlet opening 102 into the interior of the glassware 100 and as a result of movement in this direction are effective in causing the necessary degree of turbulence in any fluid that might be blocked in the restricted opening 102. It has been found that this turbulence or agitation effectively promotes continued gravity flow or drainage of the washing fluid from within the glassware 100. Thus, all surfaces, both external and internal of the glassware are effectively washed and rinsed by the washing fluid.

The washing fluid, with contamination removed from the glassware 100, then flows downwardly through the opening 28 past the lower washing spinner 82 and is channeled by the inclined bottom wall 76 through an opening 106 leading into the sump 70. Interposed between the opening 106 and sump 70 is an appropriate fine strainer 108 which removes the contaminatin from the washing fluid W before the same enters the supply of washing fluid recirculated by the pump 74. At appropriate times between washing cycles, the strainer 108 is turned 180 to the position depicted in phantom perspective in FIG. 1 and, in this inverted position, the strainer 108 is backflushed by a water spray 110. This results in the removal of accumulated contamination into a trough 112 which channels the contamination to a remote discharge point.

During washing operation of the apparatus 10, as just described, it is considered advisable and in fact necessary to hold the glassware 100 on the supporting spindles 50 to counteract any lifting force that might be generated which could result in breakage of the glassware. In accordance with prior art practice, use is made of a horizontally oriented screen mounted at an appropriate position above the uppermost projected piece of glassware, such screen (not shown) being effective in an obvious way to confine movement of any glassware to the height level of the screen while at the same time not seriously adversely affecting the scrubbing or washing action of the spray being directed downwardly from the upper washing spinner of the washing apparatus. The use of such a screen, however, is not entirely satisfactory. In some circumstances, the glassware may be of such diverse shapes that the placement of the screen beyond the largest piece of glassware results in enough clearance above the smallest piece of glasware that the same can be completely lifted off of its supporting spindle and thus be vulnerable to breakage. In contrast to the use of a prior art screen, it is therefore proposed in accordance with the present invention to use, as best shown in FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 3, a plurality of spaced bands of wire mesh,

individually and collectively designated 118, to function as a glassware covering or hold-down means. Specifically, each elongated band of wire mesh 118 is adapted to be attached at its opposite ends to support shafts 120, at least one of these shafts being journaled for rotation. That is, and as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the rotatably mounted shaft 120 has an end extending through a bearing 122 and has fixedly mounted thereon a pulley 124. Appropriately supported on the internal wall construction 16 is a motor 126 including a motor shaft 128 also having a pulley 130 fixedly mounted thereon. Completing the drive between the motor 126 and the shaft 120 is an endless loop of chain 132 entrained about the cooperating pulleys 124, 130.

The use of the wire mesh bands 118 as glassware holddown means, as contemplated in accordance with the present invention, includes initially winding up the bands 118 on the rotatable shaft 120 so that each of the bands is suspended from its support shafts with an adequate clearance above the support spindles 50 to permit loading of the glassware. This initial position of the wire mesh 118 is illustrated in phantom perspective in FIG. 1. The other contemplated position of the mesh 118 is that in which each band can be unwound from the rotatable shaft 120 so that the bands drape over the supporting spindles 50, as illustrated in phantom perspective in FIG. 1. Between these two extreme wire mesh positions, is the usual operative position, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. This operative position is achieved by first loading the spindles 50 with glassware 100 and then lowering the wire mesh bands 118 from their initial clearance position downwardly into contact with the glassware 100. The construction of the wire mesh 118 is such that it is capable of draping over the irregular shapes of the glassware 100 and, in fact, the bands actually conform to the shape of the glassware surfaces which are contacted. In this manner, the Wire mesh 118 is effective, due to its weight, in holding the glassware 100 in position on the supporting spindles 50 while at the same time permitting washing contact, through the interstices of the wire mesh, of the washing fluid against the exterior surfaces of the glassware. Moreover, unlike the prior art, the wire mesh is in physical contact with all of the irregularly shaped pieces of glassware and thereby minimizes any possibility of any one piece of glassware being lifted from its supporting spindle 50 and thereby being vulnerable to breakage.

From the foregoing description, it should be readily appreciated that there has been described herein a washing apparatus 10 which effectively rinses and washes all surfaces of glassware. To this end, among other noteworthy features, the apparatus 10 includes a lower washing spinner as a permanent part of this washing apparatus. Also, as just noted, the apparatus 10 makes use of wire mesh as an effective glassware hold-down means.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

1. A washing apparatus for plural vessels comprising:

(a) a housing defining an internal washing compartment;

(b) vessel-supporting means operatively effective to support said vessels in Washing position within said washing compartment;

(c) flexible vessel-covering means mounted within said washing compartment in opposed relation to the Supported vessel for engagement therewith; and

((1) means at one end of said mounted vessel-covering means for moving said vessel-covering means from a clearance position above said vessels into a draping and holding position with respect to at least one of said vessels, whereby said draped vessels are confined against movement under the weight of said vesselcovering means during a washing interval of said apparatus.

2. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said vessel-covering means is preferably fabricated of wire mesh.

3. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said wire mesh is further preferably in elongated bands arranged side by side and oriented transversely of said vessel-supporting means.

4. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises a rotatable member for unwinding and winding said flexible vessel-covering means to thereby lower and raise said vessel-covering means with respect to said vessels.

5. A washing apparatus for plural vessels comprising:

(a) a housing defining an internal washing compartment;

(b) vessel-supporting means operatively effective to support said vessels in washing position within said washing compartment;

() upper and lower spray means disposed in facing relation to each other on opposite sides of said vesselsupporting means;

(d) pump means operatively effective to direct washing fluid against said vessels in washing position within said washing compartment through said upper and lower spray means and through said vessel-supporting means, whereby said washing fluid makes washing contact with all surface areas of said vessels;

(e) flexible vessel-covering means mounted within said washing compartment in opposed relation to the sup ported vessels for engagement therewith; and

(f) means at one end of said mounted vessel-covering means for moving said vessel-covering means from a clearance position above said vessels into a draping and holding position with respect to at least one of said vessels, whereby said draped vessels are confined against movement under the weight of said vessel-covering means during a washing interval of said washing apparatus.

6. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said upper and lower spray means are rotatable.

7. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said vessel-supporting means comprises plural hollow upstanding supports, each having a fluid connection to said pump means and adapted to have an operative vesselsupporting position projecting into the interior of a vessel placed in said washing apparatus for cleaning the inner surface of said vessel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner 0 P. R. COE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

